Brookfield/Elm Grove Monthly
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/355178
By Katherine Michalets Special to The Freeman TOWN OF BROOKFIELD — War ming up during rehearsal, the members of the Brookfield Highlands Ambassadors of Harmony sang classics not heard on the radio in decades, but it was when they did a run- through of "The Star- Spangled Banner" that the voices of the men in their 70s and 80s filled a large room with the familiar words sung in four-part chords that make up bar- bershop-style music. Formed in 1995 by Keith Merrifield, the group num- bered five men, all resi- dents of the Brookfield Highlands retirement com- munity on Davidson Road. Merrifield opened up the group to people living out- side of the Highlands and at its peak the g roup reached 75 members, his widow, Carol, said. Arv Hoppe is the only liv- ing original member of the group and will be conduct- ing the approximately 40 singers who will perform the national anthem in a barbershop style prior to the start of the Aug. 7 Brewers game. Hoppe said Keith Mer rifield would have been really pleased to see his barbershop group get to perform at the stadi- um. "He will be singing along and directing," Hoppe said. Chorus manager John Clausz joined the g roup upon retiring as a biology professor from Car roll University in 2002, and after much urging by Keith Merrifield. He helps to run the group with Carol Mer- rifield. At age 74, Clausz said he is one of the youngest members in the Ambassadors of Harmony. Aug. 7 won't be the first time the Ambassadors of Harmony perform before a baseball game. Last year they sang the national anthem during a Northern League game at Concordia University. After that performance, it was suggested the men sing at the Brewers game. To get a chance at that opportunity, the Ambas- sadors of Harmony had to film an audition tape and send it in for review. In January, the g roup learned it had been select- ed and was asked to pick a date. Merrifield said Aug. 7 was chosen because it's Senior Day. Darwin Bell comes from West Allis to perform with the Ambassadors of Har- mony, which he joined a couple of years ago. He learned of the group from other members of a Mil- waukee barbershop group in which he participates. "It's special. Once you hear it, you want to hear more of it," Bell said of the barbershop style. Like many of the men in the Ambassadors, Bell has been singing and playing music his whole life. Hoppe said singing barber- shop music is his hobby in life. "It's a unique type of music and a lot of men and women enjoy it," he said. The Ambassadors of Harmony often perform at senior centers and their music tends to bring back memories for many of the listeners. Clausz, who never sang barbershop before joining the group, said all of the music is sung from memo- ry. Visitors are welcomed to attend any of the g roup's rehearsals and men are invited to sit in with the chorus and sing a few songs. 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Not valid with any other offer Adult Haircut $ 12.99(reg. $15) Includes Shampoo & Blow Dry Kids Haircut $ 9.99(reg. $12) Includes Shampoo & Blow Dry From From BTSHC FR212 Fantastic Sams Brookfield 3930 N. Brookfield Rd., Brookfield, WI 53045 (262) 373-0123 www.FSBrookfield.com www.facebook.com/FSBrookfield Salon Hours: Sun 11-4, Mon 9-6, Tues-Thurs 9-8 Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5 No Appointments Most salons independently owned and operated. ©2014 Fantastic Sams Franchise Corporation. www.FantasticSams.com BACK TO SCHOOL HAIRCUT SALE 239354004 New Guest Offer: All-Over Color $ 35.00(reg. $49) Includes Shampoo & Blow Dry FR214 The Wolverine Supply and Manufacturing Co., Pitts- burgh, Pa., was founded in 1903 by B.F. Bain. He original- ly was from Michigan and dis- covered the toy business was profitable, especially at Christmastime. Child-sized "girl toys" introduced at the New York Toy Fair mimicked mom's household chores, like tea sets, washboards, tubs and ironing boards. At a time when most toys were being imported, Bain became one of the largest U.S. toy manufac- turers. In the not-so-distant past of the 1950s, full-size appliance manufacturers capitalized on color. Although mom's kitchen appliances were not worn out, the stylish new models came in colors like this Bermuda pink set. Many little girls on Christmas morning woke up to this charming and stylish kitchen, just the right size and no defrosting needed! This tin- enameled set includes: built- in sink at 11 inches in height, electric stove at 11 inches high and combination refrigera- tor/freezer at a 14-inch height. Black handles, chrome-like finishes, minor surface oxida- tion, excellent lithographs and everything else is pre- tend! There were many stor- age compartments that could hold accessories ($old $eparately). Most toys then were purchased at five-and- dime stores or the catalog; no Toys 'R Us. The original box (not shown) confirms that it was mailed from the Speigel catalog. Pink was not popular for long, but helps trace appli- ance design through the years. The early 1960s brought in harvest gold, avocado green and burnt orange. Value on this set is $125. An apple a day Much of the success of many pottery firms in Ohio was in the incredible richness of Ohio clay. Addis E. Hull founded Hull Pottery in 1905 in Zanesville, Ohio. In the late 1930s through the 1950s, Hull was making some of his best work in kitchenware and art pottery. This four-piece Apple series included an oversized cookie jar, a grease-drip jar and salt and pepper shakers. This example has very little paint loss, surface damage, minor crazing (crackling) or color fading. Set of four: $175. Another "Hull" original design Hull Pottery was the only company that designed and patented the original Little Red Riding Hood-shaped cookie jar. It was produced in 1943 and remained its most successful item ever. If you are looking at a Little Red Rid- ing Hood cookie jar marked with a "McCoy"' or any other trademark, it is proof that you have a reproduction of the Hull original. Have an item for appraisal? Tell us about it and it could be selected for a future col- umn. Mail entries to Wauke- sha Antique Shop, 1427 E. Racine Ave., Unit E-2, Wauke- sha, WI 53186. Send sharp, well-lit photos of front, back and underside of your item, and measurements are impor- tant. List any known history or even hearsay, length of ownership and all markings, even partial ones. Include your name, address and phone number. No photos can be returned and no purchase of antiques will occur. (Barbara Eash is a member of the Certified Appraisers Guild of America, specializing in appraisals of antiques and collectibles and has extensive experience writing and speak- ing about antiques.) BARBARA EASH Antiques Appraised Toy kitchen set, artistic pottery charming reminders of past Katherine Michalets/Special to The Freeman Arv Hoppe, far right, practices with other members of the Brookfield Highlands Ambassadors of Harmony recently. Hoppe is the only living original member of the barbershop group, which will perform the national anthem at the Aug. 7 Brewers game. IN PERFECT HARMONY Barbershop group to perform national anthem at Brewers game At a glance For more information about how to book the Brookfield Highlands Ambassadors of Harmony to per- form at your facility or to learn more about joining, contact event planner Carol Merrifield at 262- 446-9047 or email chorus manag- er John Clausz at jclausz@gmail.com.